"السعادة هي حالة الوعي التي تأتي من تحقيق المرء لقيمه"

Happiness, at its core, comes from achieving what matters most to you. It's not some mystical or abstract feeling that just happens. It’s deeply connected to your personal values and goals. When you work towards and reach those, that’s when real happiness kicks in.

Think back to when this was probably first articulated—it was the mid-20th century, a time when individualism and personal fulfillment were becoming more prominent ideas in Western culture. People like Ayn Rand, who had a huge influence on thoughts about personal achievement and happiness, emphasized the importance of living according to your values.

Imagine you’ve always valued creativity. You spend years honing your skills in graphic design. You start small, maybe freelancing on the side while holding down a less fulfilling day job. You stay up late, pouring your energy and ideas into projects that truly excite you. Then one day, you land a major client who loves your work. You’re able to quit your day job and focus solely on your passion. The happiness you feel isn’t just about the success—it's the culmination of years of dedication to something you deeply value.

Applying this wisdom to your own life means first figuring out what you really care about. What are the things that, when you achieve them, bring you the most joy? Is it your career, your family, maybe a hobby? Once you know, you can set clear goals aligned with those values. And every step you take towards achieving them brings you closer to that state of happiness.

Let me tell you about my friend, Sarah. For years, she worked as an accountant. It was a stable job, good pay, but it wasn’t what she loved. Sarah’s real passion was baking. On weekends, she’d experiment with recipes, often sharing her creations with friends and family. They kept telling her she should open a bakery. But the fear of leaving her stable job held her back.

One day, after a particularly stressful week at work, Sarah had an epiphany. She realized that true happiness for her was tied to baking. She valued the creativity, the joy it brought to others, and the sense of accomplishment she felt with each cake and pastry. So, she took the leap. It wasn’t easy—there were long hours, financial worries, and moments of doubt. But every time a customer raved about her goods, or she saw a child’s face light up at a birthday cake she made, she knew she’d made the right choice.

Sarah’s story shows how identifying and working towards your values can lead to genuine happiness. It's not about the absence of struggle but about finding meaning and fulfillment in what you do.

So, think about what you value most. What’s that thing that gets you out of bed in the morning, excited to tackle the day? Align your goals with those values and take actionable steps towards them. It might be tough, and the path may not always be clear. But remember, happiness isn’t just about the end result—it’s about the journey and the satisfaction of knowing you’re living true to yourself.